COVID19 Scare On PSL 2020:
Because of the Coronavirus pandemic, the coach of Peshawar Zalmi, James Foster and 10 overseas players have decided to leave Pakistan Super League (PSL 2020). They took the decision when the game is moved to its Karachi leg present in Sindh District, where already 16 confirmed COVID19 cases are there.
The leaving players include Rilee Rossouw and James Vince of Multan Sultans, Alex Hales of Karachi Kings, Jason Roy and Tymal Mills of Quetta Gladiators, Carlos Brathwaite, Tom Banton, Liam Livingstone and Lewis Gregory of Peshawar Zalmi.
The Pakistan Cricket Board said in a conference that “All player support staff, as well as players, can withdraw from the PSL 2020 if they want to do so. But the tournament will continue as per the schedule in empty stadiums. According to the regulations of the event, the sides can replace the leaving players.”
“The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) will be going to monitor the condition and make decisions after consulting with the team owners. This is an unpredictable situation that needs rigorous and continuous monitoring.”
Wasim Khan Statement:
The Chief executive of PCB, Wasim Khan said on Friday that “Now, the PCB, as well as the owners of the teams, have decided to provide the option to decide if they want to return home to the overseas players.”
“ Now, it is necessary to give importance and get cleared that the major concern of many of the 10 players and a coach, who have decided to leave turns around evading a possible situation where they might have to stay either because of cancellations of flight or closure of the border in their countries. The PCB will arrange for their safe journey to their nations and ensure the same for all the players as well as support staff members who want to withdraw from PSL 2020.”